Trump dismisses USS Lincoln criticism and snaps at CNN reporter to ‘be quiet’

Donald Trump claimed he had third-hand reports that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is “beautifully maintained” despite extensive accounts of deteriorating living conditions during its lengthy deployment in the strait of Hormuz.

At the White House on Monday, Trump berated a CNN reporter at a press availability, insisting that she “be quiet” and describing the reporting as fake news.

“The Lincoln has been out there for a period of time – a good period of time – but over the years, we’ve had them out there much longer,” Trump said, describing an exchange with a veteran, whom he did not name, over the weekend.

“He happened to be an admiral, retired. He said, ‘I’ve been on ships that are out there much longer than that, sir. And I know people on the Lincoln, they say it’s beautifully maintained and beautifully taken care of.’ And other people went out and they found out that to be true,” said Trump. “It was fake news reporting from CNN.”

Trump also did not identify the “other people” he claimed had verified the anonymous admiral’s account.

The Lincoln, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier capable of long deployments without refueling, left port from San Diego on 21 November 2025 and has now set a modern record for the longest time at sea without a port call. It has been more than 250 days since it has touched land.

The Navy Times and Stars and Stripes – the latter notably under increased control of the Pentagon as a defense publication – have also largely confirmed reports of the Lincoln’s conditions.

The publications described shortages of supplies and water and plumbing problems. Several sailors have attempted to leap from the ship according to their reports, prompting Democratic lawmakers to demand answers from the Pentagon.

Naval families with loved ones deployed for months on US warships amid the Iran war have reacted with fury to Trump and defense secretary Pete Hegseth’s dismissal of their concerns about the extreme pressures and dire conditions they are enduring.

The Guardian also spoke to three naval families who have been following the physical and mental stresses bearing down on their relatives with mounting alarm.

“I grew up in a United States where you have to be very respectful of the military, as they’re making the ultimate sacrifice and protecting their country, and now you have the commander-in-chief and defense secretary dismissing their experiences and calling them liars,” said the sister of one Lincoln crew member, who spoke anonymously for fear of retribution. “I’m really angry.”